PM JOHNSON SETS OUT PLAN FOR DEEPER TIES WITH GULF
▶ UK premier says trade, investment and defence are key to future relations after Brexit
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has thrown his weight behind a shift in Britain’s strategic ties with the UAE and the region, telling The National that the partnership would be upgraded in the years ahead.
Marking the beginning of a new era after the UK’s departure from the EU, Mr Johnson called for closer trading, investment and defence links between London and Gulf countries.
“The UK will be looking to modernise our security and defence partnerships with the Gulf, support a sustainable transition towards cleaner energy and champion open and inclusive societies,” he said.
“Working together to tackle shared security challenges is a cornerstone of Britain’s relationship with many Gulf states.
“This partnership is vital for the safety and security of the UK and is something we want to continue to develop.”
Speaking of the potential for greater trade and investment, Mr Johnson pointed to the importance of personal ties that underpin diplomatic and official contacts.
“The Gulf is already the UK’s third biggest trading partner outside the European Union, and as we leave the EU I want to strengthen this relationship further,” he said.
“The UK’s partnerships with Gulf nations are incredibly important for our prosperity and security. Some 175,000 British nationals live in the Gulf, and before Covid affected all our lives, one million Brits visited each year – to do business, forge relationships and enjoy some of that fabled sunshine.”
Addressing the expiry of the UN weapons embargo on Iran, Mr Johnson sought to allay fears of the consequences.
“We’re working hard, including at the UN, to find a constructive solution to address the threat to security posed by the expiry of the arms embargo,” he said.
Mr Johnson told The National of his plans to bring together global leaders in a partnership for a post-coronavirus recovery.
Holding the presidency of the G7 next year and hosting the Cop26 climate conference would put the UK in a prime position to ensure the shock of the pandemic is not repeated, he said.
“The UK will work with our international partners to put this plan into action,” Mr Johnson said.
“The basic functions of our societies have ground to a halt thanks to this tiny pathogen – we can’t allow that to happen again.”
Mr Johnson plans to participate in next month’s G20 summit in Riyadh by video conference.
“The priority for the UK is for the G20 to reach agreements on health, the economy and climate,” he said. “This includes global access to any coronavirus vaccine, debt financing for developing and middle-income countries and tangible measures to tackle climate change.”
Boris Johnson said his recovery from coronavirus drove his efforts to ensure that the world was never again hit so hard by “a tiny pathogen” that has so damaged societies.
The British prime minister spoke of how his experience was helping him rally international backing for his recovery plans, which include universal access to any potential vaccine.
“I’m determined that the UK will drive forward the effort to find a vaccine, repair the global economy and prevent future health crises,” Mr Johnson said.
“As a leader, that experience renewed my resolve to protect the public and our health system while ensuring that the economy stays afloat. It’s a difficult balancing act facing every government.”
He was admitted to intensive care in March. On his release, he paid tribute to the healthcare professionals who looked after him.
That experience informed his thinking from then on. With the UK set to take leadership of the G7 and chair the global climate change conference Cop 26 in 2021, Mr Johnson believed Britain will play a pivotal role in how the recovery takes shape.
“I have set out a five-point plan to prevent future pandemics,” he said. “It includes proposals like developing a worldwide network of zoonotic hubs to spot diseases before they leap from animals to humans, a pandemic early warning system, and measures to reduce trade barriers on health critical items.
“The UK will work with our international partners to put this plan into action. The basic functions of our societies have ground to a halt thanks to this tiny pathogen – we can’t allow that to happen again.”
The 56-year old told The National that he wanted to develop the links between the UK and the Arabian Gulf.
“The UK’s partnerships with Gulf nations are incredibly important for our prosperity and security,” he said. “Some 175,000 British nationals live in the Gulf, and before Covid affected all our lives, one million Brits visited each year to do business, forge relationships and enjoy some of that fabled sunshine.”
Mr Johnson looked ahead to next month’s Riyadh G20 summit as a key moment for efforts
to repair the damage caused by the coronavirus.
“The priority for the UK is for the G20 to reach agreements on health, the economy and climate,” he said. “This includes global access to any coronavirus vaccine, debt financing for developing and middle-income countries, and tangible measures to tackle climate change.
“This should be underpinned by a continued commitment to free trade as the basis for a strong and sustainable recovery.”
He said that he regarded the summit as a “as a key moment to address issues of global importance,” including how the world “drives a green economic recovery from coronavirus”.
With the pandemic forcing world leaders to take to their laptops for the summit – “Zoom conferences are never quite the same as meeting in person” – Mr Johnson believed it was still “a great opportunity for our hosts Saudi Arabia to showcase their vision for the future”.
Turning to foreign policy, Mr Johnson said that Britain would not be complacent in dealing with Iran following the
expiry on Sunday of the United Nations arms embargo.
Asked if he was worried that Iran might obtain more sophisticated weapons from Russia and China, he said that this would be unlikely.
“Come the end of this month, significant restrictions will remain on Iran’s ability to trade in arms, both from remaining UN restrictions and from its economic situation.”
Having served as foreign secretary at the time President Donald Trump ordered the US’ withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, Mr Johnson was involved in handling the divisions over the accord.
Britain remained committed to working with France, Germany and the US to find
a “sustainable solution to Iranian weapons proliferation” following the failure to agree on a new UN Security Council resolution on the embargo, he said.
Mr Johnson acknowledged the challenge that development posed.
“I’ve voiced my concern on many occasions about the destabilising role Iran plays in the region. We’re working hard, including at the UN, to find a constructive solution to address the threat to security posed by the expiry of the arms embargo.”
He was unambiguous in responding to a question on whether Britain and the US would continue the strong defence relationship with the Gulf in regards to ISIS and to Iran.
“Absolutely.” he replied. “Working together to tackle shared security challenges is a cornerstone of Britain’s relationship with many Gulf states.”
He said that Britain stood alongside its Gulf partners “in condemning Iran’s destabilising behaviour”, and that Tehran faced a choice: “Ratchet up its approach and face growing
isolation, or it can come in from cold and work with the international community.”
Turning to the recent agreement between the UAE, Bahrain and Israel, Mr Johnson said he welcomed the Abraham Accords “as a positive step on the path to peace” by normalising relations.
“Co-operation and dialogue must win out over hostility and division.”
He hinted that there may be further announcements to come to increase engagement in the process that has led to stronger ties across the Middle East.
Mr Johnson said he “strongly welcomed” the suspension of Israel’s annexation plans.
“I hope that we see further progress, including a halt to settlement activity and a move by other states in the region to normalise relations,” he said.
Britain would also maintain its longstanding position on the Middle East Peace Process.
“We support a negotiated agreement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state. This would be based on 1967 borders, with agreed land swaps, Jerusalem
as the shared capital of both states, and a fair settlement for refugees.”
He said that Westminster would be willing to assist in discussions that would lead to the revival of direct negotiations.
“Ultimately, there is no substitute for direct talks between the Palestinians and Israelis, and we must back any effort to bring the two parties together. The UK stands ready to help facilitate meaningful dialogue in any way that we can.”
Recalling the UAE’s gift of 100 tonnes of personal protective equipment at the height of the spring coronavirus crisis, Mr Johnson was cheered by this, calling it “a bright spot of co-operation and friendship”.
Looking to the recovery he seeks to lead , he was saddened that “too often countries have operated on the principle of ‘every man for himself’”.
“As I said in my address to the UN General Assembly last month, Covid has been an extraordinary force for division. We’re facing the same enemy, but nations have thrown up barriers when we should be breaking them down.”
Johnson said that Britain was willing to help Palestinians and Israelis in their efforts to find peace